Motion Picture Herald (Jan-Feb 1938)

44 MOTION PICTURE HERALD January 8, 1938 IN THE CUTTING ROOM The Shadow Murder Case (Grand National) Mystery Melodrama "The Shadow Strikes" served to introduce the Shadow character, a detective, created by the Shadow Magazine staff of writers. "The Shadow Murder Case," second in a series of four productions, is based on the Street and Smith magazine story, "The Fox Hound," which was written by Maxwell Grant. Transcription to the screen was effected by Jack Natteford, one of Hollywood's most prolific writers, with added dialogue contributed by John Krafft. It is being directed by Charles Lamont, who made many Monogram and Chesterfield films. As in the first picture, Rod LaRocque, who created the screen character, will again be seen in the title role. This time, however, discarding the melodramatic trappings of cape and hood, cane and gloves, he will be introduced as a newspaper columnist, radio commentator, and amateur criminologist who solves crimes without the aid of the police. In nature the story is mystery melodrama, all wool and a yard wide. The Shadow, tricked into the advance broadcast of a crime that did not come off, becomes involved in another that happened in a different part of the city. There as he comes in conflict with a sinister character he not only traps the perpetrator of the original crime in which a murder was committed, but also obtains information which he prints and broadcasts to prevent a second murder and make possible the floating of a bond issue for a mythical Balkan country. With LaRocque featured, Astrid Allwyn will be seen as the girl, Thomas Jackson as the police commissioner with whom LaRocque is in conflict and William von Brincken as the menace. Supporting characters included are Oscar O'Shea, William Pawley, Walter Bonn, William Moore, Lou Hearn, Tenen Holtz, John St. Polis, Lloyd Whitlock and Jack Baxley. Release date : February 8, 1938. The Baroness and the Butler (20th Century-Fox) Sophisticated Comedy "The Baroness and the Butler" is down on the release schedule as a Darryl F. Zanuck special. Thus exhibitors who are familiar with the producer's accomplishments may be able to form a very defiinte opinion of the imagination and artistry that is being put into this production to insure its being a commercial and an entertainment success. The story, based on a continental play the locale of which is Hungary, was brought to screen fashion by Sam Hellman, Lamar Trotti and Kathryn Scola. It's about a faithful butler, who while serving the Prime Minister, turned to politics, became leader of the radical opposition party, was instrumental in bringing about the ousting of his master, whom he continued to serve, as Prime Minister and as veins of hectic romance and intriguing conspiracy are woven in, fled the country only to be brought back to be made Prime Minister himself and to be married to his master's royal daughter whom he found working as a ladies' maid. In many ways the story seems to embrace the elements that made "My Man Godfrey" and probably will make "Tovarich" successful. There will be available to theatremen in this production five factors that have exploitation availability. 1. Theatre men named William Powell the fifth ranking money name of 1937. "The Thin Man" and "Double Wedding" contributed much to his recognition. 2. The film will mark the American screen debut of Annabella who has been seen in "Dinner at the Ritz," "Wings of the Morning" and "Under the Red Robe," English productions released in this country. 3. The story and its settings. Sophisticated comedy romance in the "My Man Godfrey" manner which kept audiences roaring with laughter in New York, London and continental capitals for months past. Backgrounds are richly modern in keeping with the circles in which the baroness and her butler move. 4. The supporting cast. It includes Henry Stephenson, last in "Conquest," Joseph Schildkraut seen in "Lady Behave," "Lancer Spy," "Zola" and "Garden of Allah," Nigel Bruce, absent from the domestic screen since "Under Two Flags," Helen Westley, featured in Shirley Temple's latest pictures, "Heidi" and "Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm," J. Edward Bromberg and Lynn Bari. 5. The reputation of the director, Walter Lang, for making worthy entertainment, such as "Second Honeymoon," "Love Before Breakfast" and "The Mighty Barnum." The purpose of the producer is to combine the talents of writers, players, director and technical specialists into making the kind of comedy entertainment that has proved desirable during the past several months. Release date: Feb. 25, 1938. Bluebeard's Eighth Wife (Paramount) Comedy Romance This title is but a figure of speech. As an exploitation factor it might be considered one of those "Lubitsch touches" which audiences have come to expect and watch for in his productions. It merely is an aptly terse digest of a story which will present Gary Cooper, ninth big money making star of 1937, and Claudette Colbert, the ninth honor star of the same period, in a modern slapstick comedy with a dash of romance added. Not a costume film ; having nothing at all to do with the ogre of legend who had seven wives each of whom he disposed of in his own peculiar manner, it is the story of a modern lover who also had seven wives each of whom he disposed of in the modern manner — via the divorce courts. There are no unpleasant characters in the story. In fact all the principals and the large company which supports them might be described as "touched in the head." Based on a French novel and legitimate stage farce which was written by Alfred Savoir and with transcription to the screen credited to Charles Brackett and William Wilder, "Bluebeard's Eighth Wife" is, although it may seem paradoxical, slapstick sophistication. It heroizes an eccentric American millionaire who thinks wives can be purchased and discarded Hke fads and foibles until, while touring in France, he meets and marries the wise and determined daughter of an impoverished nobleman, who, after fighting and playing all over Europe, finally teaches him the errors of his ways. Narrative technique will follow the fashion lately laid down by "Twentieth Cen tury" and which, causing surprise comedy to be king in 1937, culminated in "Nothing Sacred" and "The Awful Truth." The omens seem to be in favorable juxtaposition for Ernst Lubitsch's sixty-seventh production. A vogue has been established. Warners are leaving no stones unturned to tell the world how good Miss Colbert is in "Tovarich." It may be expected that Samuel Goldwyn will not permit his imagination to be stinted when he gets ready to talk about Gary Cooper in "The Adventures of Marco Polo." The interest created by these publicity campaigns will no doubt be used by exhibitors to redound to the welfare of "Bluebeard." Further as Mr. Lubitsch is quite proud of his reputation, it can be expected that he will not be hesitant to put his stars through a routine of madcap screen antics that should rival anything seem in screen comedies to date. Naturally primary interest in this forthcoming production centers upon the title, stars and producer-director. But other necessities, especially names and production detail have not been ignored. To the importance of Cooper and Miss Colbert as name assets should be added the worths of Edward Everett Horton, Louis Alberni, David Nevin, Elizabeth Patterson and Warren Hymer, who are the most important supporting players. As the title is a Lubitsch touch, it could not be otherwise than there will be many Lubitsch touches in production embellishment as it amplifies the theme. Having watched much of the production of this gay, rowdy romantic comedy, the opinion has been formed that both the public and exhibitors will look upon its presentation as a red letter occasion. Release date: April 15, 1938. Radio City Revels (RKO-Radio) Comedy, Romance, Music RKO-Radio has been tinkering around trying to find a story idea to substantiate the title "Radio City Revels" for more than three years. Announced for production many times, it failed just as often to become a reality until producer Edward Kaufman took the title in hand. In the hands of the man who produced "The Ex-Mrs. Bradford," "Star of Midnight" and seven other pictures for the company, it seems that there is a more than favorable chance that "Radio City Revels" will embrace those entertainment and showmanship qualities that appeal to patrons and exhibitors. Inasmuch as the theme, supplemented by romance, light drama, comedy, music and picturesque glamour, is a story of people who find the way to happiness and success the hard way, organically following a familiar path, a showmanship consideration of the property leads first to who is going to be in it. Borrowed from Paramount and given top billing is Bob Burns now in "Wells Fargo" and recently in "Mountain Music" and "Waikiki Wedding." His character as a hill billy who dreams hit songs is reminiscent of his appearance in "Mountain Music." With him are Jack Oakie presently in "Hitting a New High" ; Kenny Baker of Jello radio program fame also seen in "Mr. Dodd Takes the Air" and "The King and the Chorus Girl" and soon to be seen in "Goldwyn Follies" ; Milton Berle only in (.Continued on page 46, column 2)